Valinch & Mallet Beenleigh Cœtus Amicorum 2007

Valinch & Mallet Beenleigh Coetus Amicorum is a twelve year old single cask from the historic Australian distillery, selected by the Italian-British independent and bottled unsweetened at a cask strength 54.8%. It offers a more balanced, approachable take on Beenleigh's character, fruit-forward with a touch of funk, an inviting pour for drinkers who want some wildness without going to extremes.

The ex-bourbon maturation brings out yellow fruit, mirabelle plum, raisin and a natural honeyed sweetness, joined by vanilla, oak spice, black pepper and candied fruit, with orange peel and a light estery edge on the finish. The pot still base gives it a profile that drinkers often compare to a gentler Jamaican meeting Barbados, fruity and characterful rather than aggressive. At 54.8% it benefits from a good rest in the glass and perhaps a drop of water. Dry and additive-free, it is a satisfying, fruit-led cask for those who enjoy expressive pot still rum at sensible strength.